Storm door

ABSTRACT

A door for storm cellars is mounted in a frame for sliding movement. Rollers mounted upon the upper edge and lower edge of the door roll in channeled tracks in the frame. The door slides under a protective panel.

United States Patent 1191 Howle Nov. 26, 1974 [541 STORM DOOR 1,239,421 9 1917 Metzger 52 64 2,174,989 10/1939 Lyons 1 t 52/19 [76] Inventor- Emmy Hmvle, Tahoka 2,278,331 3 1942 Meyercord..... 52 619 79373 2,613,844 10 1952 Mounce 49/425 x y 1 3,173,387 3/1965 Cree 52/169 [21] Appl' 360738 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wendell Coffee [52] US. Cl 52/19, 52/64, 49/125, 49/372, 49/425 [51] Int. Cl E02d 29/14, E04b 7/16 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 52/19, 64, 20, 72, 107,

52,184 204 49/125 425 372 373 33 A door for storm cellars 1s mounted in a frame for sliding movement. Rollers mounted upon the upper edge and lower edge of the door roll in channeled [56] References Cited tracks in the frame. The door slides under a protective UNITED STATES PATENTS panel 525,333 9/1894 Christian .1 49/125 6 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTM'BVZBIQH 3849.951

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PATENTEL HEW 2 81 974 SHEET h 0F 6 PATENTE; KEV 26 I974 SHEET 5 BF 6 STORM DOOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to storm cellars and more particularly for doors thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Tornados are known to every state of the continental United States. They are more prevalent through the central area, extending from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas and on through Nebraska.

The storm cellar is a common structure in these areas. These storm cellars are conventionally comprised of underground rooms, concrete lined, with stairways leading into them. Conventionally, the doorway is a sloping or angling downward opening from a high edge at the room side to a low edge at the top of the stairsteps. According to customary construction, the door is hinged to a door frame surrounding the doorway. Often a post is mounted adjacent the hinges and a rope attached to the door, extending through a pulley on the post to a counterweight, thus, counterbalancing the weight of the door to make it easier to open the door.

Tornados occur at times of violent weather. I.e., when violent thunder storms with high wind, rain, and hail occur, tornados may occur. Therefore, people normally enter the storm cellar at a time of high winds, rain and hail. Often, therefore, thewind will catch the cellar door as it is being opened, violently throwing it open. At other times, the wind may be from a direction that would tend to prevent the door from being opened or, if opened, will slam it violently shut. This causes a particularly difficult situation if a woman is supervising young children entering the storm cellas underthese violent and exciting circumstances. If, in such an event, the counterbalance rope breaks, or other mishap occurs, emotions in such situation can reach a panic level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1. New and Different Function I have alleviated the situation to the extent that I have invented a door which operates smoothly regardless of high winds blowing at the time. It is comforting to have the mechanical structures work well in such situations. The smooth and proper operation of mechanical devices tend to reassure people and give them a sense of well being thatfuture events will also have a proper and predictable outcome.

Specifically, I provide a metal door frame around the cellar doorway which has channels at the upper and lower edges. Rollers mounted on the door at the upper and lower edge operate within the channel to provide for the smooth opening of the door. The door, when open, slides under a protective panel so it is not exposed to gusts of wind and cause the rollers to bind upon their tracks.

2. Objects of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide shelter from storms.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storm cellar door which is easy to operate in adverse conditrons.

Further objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy, compact, durable, lightweight, simple, safe, efficient, and reliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, adjust, operate, and maintain.

Other objects are to achieve the above with a method that is rapid, efficient, easy, and does not require skilled people to install, adjust, operate, and maintain.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses, and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, the different views of which are not to the same scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a cellar with the stairway and door, according to the first embodiment of this invention, taken substantially on line 11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a cellar showing the door of the first embodiment closed.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, are sectional views showing details of construction of the first embodiment taken substantially on lines 3-3, 44, 5-5, and 66, of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing details of construction taken substantially on line 7-7 of FIGS. 1, 8, and 9.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the door showing the door frame in section taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of a portion of FIG. 8.

F IG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the door showing details of the outside latch operator.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a door, protective panel, and frame, according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing details of construction of the second embodiment taken substantially on line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13is a bottom sectional view showing details of construction of the second embodiment taken substantially on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing details of construction of the second embodiment taken substantially on line 14-14 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing details of con struction of the second embodiment taken substantially on line 15-15 of FIGS. 11 and 112.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there may be seen represented a portion of a typical storm cellar. It has an area or room 10 which has concrete floor l2 and roof l4. Stairway 16 adjacent to the room 10 leads therefrom to doorway 18. As may be seen, the doorway is rectangular and is above the ground at the head of the stairs 16. The doorway l8 angles down from high edge 20 which is on the side of the doorway 18 next to the room 10 to lower edge 22 which is adjacent to top stairstep 24. The doorway is surrounded by door frame 26 and covered with door 28 (FIG. 2).

In describing the details of construction, it will be emphasized that the first embodiment is not the preferred embodiment, but it is described first inasmuch as it is simpler and, therefore, easier to describe and understand.

The door 28 is constructed of metal and has lower rollers 30 attached thereto by legs 32 welded to the lower edge of the door 28 (FIG. 6). The rollers operate within channel portion 34 of the lower door frame element 36. As may be seen, the lower edge of the door 28 overlaps the lower door frame 36 so water upon the door 28 will drip off. Also, the lower door frame element 36 is embedded in concrete 38, which surrounds the doorway 18.

Likewise, the upper edge of the door 28 has upper roller 40 attached thereto by leg 42. The upper roller 40 operates in channel 44 of upper door frame element 46, which is likewise embedded in concrete 38 surrounding the doorway 18 (FIG. Flashing 48 is attached to the upper edge of the door 28 as by welding. The flashing extends over the upper door frame element 46 to prevent water in the form of rain from leaking in at this point.

The opening edge of the door 28 also has opening flashing 50, which will extend over opening channel 52 (FIG. 3). The opening channel 52 being a portion of opening frame member 54, which is likewise embedded in concrete 38.

Panel 56 is attached to the door frame as would be within the skill of ordinary mechanics (FIGS. 2 and 4). The door 28 has up-lip 58 which extends beneath the panel. The panel has down-lip 60 which extends down over the door 28. Rubber bumper 62, between the two, prevents clanging when closing the door and, also, helps seal the closure.

Latch pin 64 is mounted in the concrete 38 on the inside of the channel 52 of the opening door frame 54 (FIG. 7). The concrete 38 is cut out at 66 so latch 68 may engage the latch pin 64 (FIG. 9). The latch is pivoted by bolt 70 to the door 28. Handle 72 forms an inside latch operator on the inside of the door. As may be seen, the inside operator is located on the inside of the door above half way between the high edge and the low edge. Therefore, referring back to FIG. 1, a person on the stairs 16 may conveniently reach the handle 72, which is the inside operator, while he is standing on the stairs.

Handle 74 is attached by bolt 76 to the outside of the door 28 (FIG. It forms an outside operator for the latch 68 and it is located on the door near the lower edge 22. Therefore, again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a person from the outside can readily reach the outside operator 74 to unlatch the door and slide the door open when standing in the area of the lower edge 22.

On the inside, arm 78 is connected to the bolt 76 (FIG. 8). Pitman 80 connects the end of the arm 78 to the handle 72 of the latch 58. Therefore, rotation of the handle 74 on the outside of the door will operate the latch 68 on th inside of the door.

In the embodiment described above, I have provided a door for a storm cellar which can be opened.

The second embodiment of my door is shown in FIGS. 11 through 15.

In this embodiment, the door 128 is mounted to roll under the panel 156. The door frame includes the opening frame member 154 and two lower door frame members 136 and 137.

The operation is basically the same as the first embodiment except for details discussed. I.e., the door is opened and closed by basically the same latch member operated by outside operator in the form of a handle 174.

Specifically, the second embodiment has opening frame member 154 (FIGS. 11 and 14). The frame member 154 is secured by an angle clip or by welding to one of the lower door members 136. Lower channel member 134 is attached as by welding to the lower frame member (FIG. 12). The track in the form of channel iron extends the full length of both the lower door frames 136 and 137. Each of these members have a length equal to approximately the width of the door 128. Therefore, the total length of the track 134 is approximately twice the width of the door 128. The door 128 is made with a plywood core which has a sheet metal skin or cover 92 (FIG. 14). The panel 156 also has a plywood core with sheet metal cover (FIG. 12).

An extension of the skin 92 extends over the frame member 154 as a flashing 94 (FIG. 14). The lower edge of skin 92 has bend 96 which extends around the upper flange 98 of the channel shaped lower door frame 136 to provide a tight joint at that point (FIG. 12). Also, the skin of the panel 156 has a down-lip 160. In addition, the panel has an angle 161 to which is attached a weather stripping 162 of rubber or the like to form a tight fit (FIG. 15). Although a bolt is shown I prefer to glue it in place.

The rollers are mounted to the door 128 by having bar 100 attached to the bottom of the door parallel to the track 134 (FIGS. 12 and 13). The bar may be in the form of a tee-beam having a base 102 secured to the underside of the door 28. The rollers for the door 128 are mounted in pairs, one of the rollers 104 supporting the door and the other roller 106 positioning the door 128. Bolt 108 extends through the bar 100 and is positioned by nut 110 on either side of the bar 100. The support roller 104 is mounted axially upon the bolt 108. The positioning roller 106 is mounted upon .I-bolt 112. Therefore, the axis of the roller 106 is at right angles to the axis of the shank of bolt 112. The shank of the bolt 112 also extends through the bar 100 and is held in position by nut 110 on either side thereof the same as the bolt 108.

The upper edge of the door has similar rollers which are mounted in a similar channel-type track which are supported by similar door frames as the lower edges. Inasmuch as the upper side of this embodiment is substantially identical to the lower side, it has not been illustrated here for conciseness of illustration.

Therefore, it may be seen that I have provided an expedient way to mount a sliding door upon a storm cellar.

The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. I do not claim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described. Various modification can be made in the construction, material, arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of my invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims. The restrictive description and drawing of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to enable the reader to make and use the inventron SUBJECT MATTER CLAIMED FOR PROTECTION I claim as my invention: 1. In a storm cellar having a. an underground room,

b. stairs leading from the underground room to the surface of the ground,

c. a rectangular doorway at head of the stairs above f. the improved structure comprising in combination with the above:

g. a door frame surrounding the doorway,

h. lower tracks along the low edge of the doorway,

the ground, 5 j. upper tracks along the high edge of the doorway, d. a door over the doorway, e. the doorway angling downward from a high edge k. lower rollers attached to the low edge of the door,

at the room side to a low edge at the top stair step;

m. upper rollers attached to the high edge of the f. the improved method of entering and leaving the 10 door,

cellar comprising: n. the lower roller in the lower track, g. approaching the door at the low edge, 0. the upper roller in the upper track, h. unlatching the door at a point on the outside of the p. said tracks extending a total distance equal to door near the low edge, about twice the width of the door, j. sliding the door open laterally, 5 q. a latch on the ,door, k. walking down the steps, r. an outside operator for the latch connected m. sliding the door closed laterally, thereto, 11. latching the door at a point on the inside of the s. said outside operator located. on the outside of the door above half-way between the high edge and door near the lower edge, and low edge of the door, then t. an inside operator for the latch connected thereto, 0. unlatching the door at a point on the inside of the door above half-way between the high edge and u. said inside operator located. on the inside of the low edge of the door, door above half-way between the high edge and the p. sliding the door open laterally, low edge. q. walking up the stairs, 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 with an addir. sliding the door closed laterally, and s. latching the door at a point on the outside of the door near the low edge.

tional limitation of q. said tracks in the form of channels. 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 with additional limitations of r. a panel about the same width and length of the door,

2. The invention as defined in claim ll wherein each time the door is slid open, it is slid under a protecting panel.

3. In a cellar having a. an underground room,

b. stairs leading from the underground room to the surface of the ground,

c. a rectangular doorway at head of the stairs above the ground,

d. a door over the doorway,

e. the doorway angling downward from a high edge at the room side of a low edge at the top stair step;

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 with an additional limitation of q. weather stripping along at least one edge of the door to form a tight fit. 

1. In a storm cellar having a. an underground room, b. stairs leading from the underground room to the surface of the ground, c. a rectangular doorway at head of the stairs above the ground, a door over the doorway, e. the doorway angling downward from a high edge at the room side to a low edge at the top stair step; f. the improved method of entering and leaving the cellar comprising: g. approaching the door at the low edge, h. unlatching the door at a point on the outside of the door near the low edge, j. sliding the door open laterally, k. walking down the steps, m. sliding the door closed laterally, n. latching the door at a point on the inside of the door above half-way between the high edge and low edge of the door, then o. unlatching the door at a point on the inside of the door above half-way between the high edge and low edge of the door, p. sliding the door open laterally, q. walking up the stairs, r. sliding the door closed laterally, and s. latching the door at a point on the outside of the door near the low edge.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each time the door is slid open, it is slid under a protecting panel.
 3. In a cellar having a. an underground room, b. stairs leading from the underground room to the surface of the ground, c. a rectangular doorway at head of the stairs above the ground, d. a door over the doorway, e. the doorway angling downward from a high edge at the room side of a low edge at the top stair step; f. the improved structure comprising in combination with the above: g. a door frame surrounding the doorway, h. lower tracks along the low edge of the doorway, j. upper tracks along the high edge of the doorway, k. lower rollers attached to the low edge of the door, m. upper rollers attached to the high edge of the door, n. the lower roller in the lower track, o. the upper roller in the upper track, p. said tracks extending a total distance equal to about twice the width of the door, q. a latch on the door, r. an outside operator for the latch connected thereto, s. said outside operator located on the outside of the door near the lower edge, and t. an inside operator for the latch connected thereto, u. said inside operator located on the inside of the door above half way between the high edge and the low edge.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 with an additional limitation of q. said tracks in the form of channels.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 with additional limitations of r. a panel aboUt the same width and length of the door, s. said panel mounted adjacent the door, parallel thereto, t. said tracks running under the panel u. so that the door slides under the panel when open.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 3 with an additional limitation of q. weather stripping along at least one edge of the door to form a tight fit. 